Vol. 107 No. 08 - 4/10/19

rattler A S T. M A R Y ’ S P U B L I C AT I O N S I N C E 1 9 1 9 Vol 107 | Issue 8 | April 10, 2019 | San Antonio, Texas

SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH: St. Mary’s draws attention to the subject on campus

LOUIE DIAZ NEWS EDITOR

With the help of a $300,000 grant from the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVAW) received in 2017, St. Mary’s is developing programs to combat sexual assault and to raise awareness of domestic violence prevention.

According to the Castro House, a website from the office of congressman Joaquin Castro, “the campus program enhances victim safety, provides services for victims, and supports efforts to hold offenders accountable.”

Rattlers Against Sexual Violence, or

RASV, is the only office officially funded by the grant. Other offices across campus are involved in implementing the efforts coordinated by the RASV. Courtney Barrie, project coordinator for Rattlers Against Sexual Violence, and her team of student employees have piloted a bystander intervention curriculum this semester. They are planning to host bystander intervention workshops at least once a month by next year. These workshops can be sponsored by certain organizations or open to the public. This month, students have also conducted tabling efforts to facilitate prevention education.

“We were tabling to promote taking

a stand against sexual assault,” stated Moses Arredondo, freshman mechanical engineering major and vice president of programming for the inter-fraternity council. “We were also giving away cards with help lines and information about who to contact through St. Mary’s and in the community.”

This semester athletes and some students have tested the bystander intervention curriculum, “Intervene.” It was developed by Cornell University and is considered one of the best-practiced curriculums.

The program “Think about it” freshman have to take will be replaced by the program “U got this” which focuses heavily on

bystander intervention for the incoming class of 2019. The new program has been tested by a select number of students and received good feedback.

“This one [program] is newer and includes more current and relevant facts that students these days would want to know about,” Barrie said.

Diana Rocha Ramos, senior business management and Spanish major, has been working closely with Barrie since last September. Ramos played a crucial role in developing the bystander intervention training. She has also been conducting CONTINUED ON PG. 2

OPINION

LIFESTYLE

ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS

PG.7

PG.11

PG.13

PG.14

Chick-fil-a lacks community values

Cute outfits to wear for Fiesta

Student group wins Battle of the Bands

Baseball celebrates homecoming game win

2 NEWS

EDITOR: LOUIE DIAZ | @STMURATTLERNEWS | APRIL 10, 2019

SNAP | FEATURED PHOTO

THE RATTLER Thank you for the support this semester. Be on the lookout for the third edition of our magazine hitting the stands on May 3, 2019.

Send us your photos to be featured in the Rattler. Email them to rattlernews@gmail.com

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STANDARDS The Rattler upholds the Mission Statements of St. Mary’s University. The publication follows the Canons of Responsible Journalism, the Associated Press Stylebook and the Student Publication Policy. The Rattler is a member of the Associate Collegiate Press, the College Media Association and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

POLICY ON NEWSPAPER THEFT Due to high production costs, members of the St. Mary’s University community are permitted one copy per issue. Where available, additional copies may be purchased (for 50 cents each) by contacting The Rattler newsroom. Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and/or subject to university discipline.

EDITORIAL STATEMENT The content published in the Rattler is the responsibility of each respective writer. The views expressed in the staff editorial reflect the views of the majority of the editorial staff.

MISSIONS Grounded partially in the Marianist values of family and community, we maintain an open forum for discussion. We strive to produce quality content that informs, not inflames; encourages, not discourages.

We must be sensitive, not sensationalistic; reasonable, not ridiculous; balanced, not bitter.

L-R: Diane and Mike Duesterhoeft, Samantha Perez, Abril Belgara Andrew and Leigh Ann Cowan take a stand at the March for Science in San Antonio.

The March for Science is an international series of rallies that focus on advocacy the common good and evidence-based policy. | Photo by Cody Rivera

Baseball players bold actions potentially save couple’s lives LOUIE DIAZ NEWS EDITOR

St. Mary baseball players, Caden Floyd and Jake Sims, are being hailed heroes after rescuing a couple involved in a severe accident. The car accident occurred after a couple and their dog driving a Model-T experienced mechanical failure, overcorrected, and then slammed into the median. Upon crashing, the car subsequently rolled over many times.

Floyd, freshman marketing major, Sims, freshman marketing major, and their friends were on their way back from a spring break trip when they witnessed the accident unfold and, instinctually, the pair and their friends pulled over to help.

“The guy was pinned underneath the car, so we lifted the car off of him… his arm was FROM “ASSAULT”

research of bystander intervention and advocacy at the federal level through her fellowship in UnidosUS. “Students should become more educated on how to safely intervene in situations of a potential sexual assault,” Ramos said. “There are multiple ways students can help prevent sexual violence, but I believe the very first step is to recognize and become educated on the issue.”

A campus climate survey was distributed to students on April 3rd to gather information on sexual violence on campus.

It will help administrators determine how to allocate the OVAW grant money. The survey originated from Administrator Researcher Campus Climate Collaborative; an organization consisting of sexual assault researchers and student affairs professionals.

Sexual assault is a crime all universities face. KSAT revealed in 2017 that St. Mary’s along with Trinity University experienced

bleeding pretty bad, so we got a shirt and wrapped it around his arm and stopped the bleeding,” said Floyd.

Fortunately, once they were able to slow the bleeding, paramedics arrived on scene in minutes to assist the couple and rush them to the hospital. Both the man and woman survived the crash and the dog, which ran away during the chaos, was safely returned to them. Emergency personnel had a few remarks for the boys about their bold actions.

“They told us if we didn’t stop and help, he would have suffered extreme blood loss and quite possibly wouldn’t have made it,” said Floyd.

Despite being freshmen, they train with the same intensity and drive as their upperclassmen. Their experiences on

and off the field have contributed to their reactive nature, skills needed to respond at a moment’s notice.

“People have said you’re a hero, and all that, we just acted on our instincts and did what we needed to do,” said Sims.

The aftermath of the accident has left both students with much to ponder.

“It really shows you how quickly your life can changes” said Sims. “When I was talking to the wife, she said they just went out for a quick little drive and she didn’t expect anything like that to happen.”

Although neither Floyd or Sims credits themselves as heroes, their quick-thinking likely saved the couple from a potentially fatal car crash.

a high number of reported sexual assault per capita. The report used statistics from 2016 to account for the number of rapes on the campuses. According to the rave alerts students and faculty received in 2018, five accounts of sexual assault were reported – one account during the spring semester and four during the fall. While the reported rate has gone down, the change has not been by much.

However, sexual assault often goes under reported, so getting an accurate rate is difficult, meaning rates are higher than expected. Data from the National Crime Victimization Survey and the FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System from 2012 to 2016 compiled by the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network or RAINN approximates about 230 out of 1000 sexual assaults are not reported to the police.

“It’s difficult to know based on those statistics [the rave alerts] how many incidents are actually happening on campus,” Barrie said. “There are barriers to

reporting … the most common one though is that survivors of sexual assault don’t feel comfortable sharing that information with someone else.”

According to RAINN, 11.2% of all students experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation – among all graduate and undergraduate students.

Barrie’s goal is to respond to the needs of survivors effectively, through means and resources that are available.

“I’m hoping to see that our responses are effective and that our responses are sensitive to the needs of people that have survived trauma,” Barrie said. “We connect those people to resources here on campus and to resources here in the community to help them get started on their healing journey.”

Other on-campus resources students can turn to include the student health center, student counseling center, university police and office of student development.

NEWS 3

APRIL 10, 2019 | STMURATTLERNEWS.COM

POLICE BLOTTER APRIL 2019 MARCH 27 Theft $100<$750 - all other reported in Treadaway Hall.

Case is active.

MARCH 30 Disorderly conduct reported at the Alumni Pavilion in Pecan Grove.

Case is active.

MARCH 31 Public intoxication reported at Parking Lot B. Cleared by arrest - citation.

APRIL 2 Sexual assault (fondling) reported outside of John Donohoo.

Exceptionally cleared - referred to Dean of Students and Title IX Office.

APRIL 2 Fondling reported in Perigueux Hall.

Case is active.

APRIL 4 Possession of drug paraphernalia reported at Treadaway Hall.

Cleared by arrest-citation.

University awarded 750k to fund theology scholarships SAMANTHA SALAZAR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

About $750,000 was recently gifted to St. Mary’s to create an endowed scholarship fund to benefit theology majors. The gift comes from the estate of Mary Jane Ihle Clark, a community leader and supporter of the mission of St. Mary’s as a Catholic and Marianist university.

In an email to the St. Mary’s community, President Tom Mengler discussed the implications of the gift and described Clark’s generosity.

“This gift shows how powerfully Mary Jane Ihle Clark felt about our Catholic and Marianist mission and will help provide vital resources that enable us to teach students – grounded in their faith – to explore religious origins and ideas and understand how they can benefit modern life,” Mengler addressed in the email.

Dr. Todd Hanneken, chair and associate professor of theology, believes the gift is an indication of support for the work of the theology department.

“It is a wonderful affirmation of our work when someone identifies theology as an area of teaching and research to support, all the more so when it comes as part of end-of-life estate planning,” he said.

Clark was born in Wisconsin in 1916.

She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and pursued her master’s degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Before retiring, Clark spent most of her professional career working with the developmentally disabled at what became known as the Northern Wisconsin Center for the Developmentally Disabled. Once in Texas, Clark served on the Board of the Access Advisory Committee to the San Antonio City Council. According to Clark’s obituary, her dedication to improving the lives of others while she was alive prompted her to continue that practice even after her death.

Although Dr. Hanneken did not know Clark personally, he believes her gift is an assertion that theology is not only an important subject matter, but a matter of life.

“I did not have the opportunity to know

APRIL 4 Burglary of a vehicle- all other; criminal mischief $750<$2,500 reported at Parking Lot B. Case is active.

APRIL 4 Graffiti reported at Chaminade Tower.

Closed - administratively.

APRIL 5 Possession of drug paraphernalia reported in Chaminade Hall.

Closed exceptional clearance - referred to the dean of students.

Graphic by Louie Diaz

the donor, Mary Jane Ihle Clark, but I like to believe that as she looked back on a full and meaningful life and asked herself what the world needs more of, out of all the worthy causes, she said what I would say,” he said.

The gift not only affirms the value of work coming from the theology department, it

“

I hope this gift and other like it will enable students to pursue their intellectual talents and the service to which God calls them without fear of student loan debt or that society will not value their contributions.”

Dr. Todd Hanneken chair and professor of theology

also promotes theology as a worthy study and as something Dr. Hanneken believes to be of the utmost importance.

“The world needs more theology, more insight into who we are and what God expects us to do,” he explained.

The gift will be used to establish a scholarship fund to benefit theology students who demonstrate financial need and are in good standings academically. According to Dr. Hanneken, not only does the financial assistance allow for academic excellence from students who otherwise would not have the opportunity, but, more specifically, allows theology students to pursue a bigger calling.

“I hope this gift and others like it will enable students to pursue their intellectual talents and the service to which God calls them without fear of student loan debt or that society will not value their contributions,” he expressed.

School of Humanities and Social Sciences to undergo change GERARDO NINO-POZOS STAFF WRITER

Effective fall 2020, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences will undergo a gradual transformation to its undergraduate and graduate programs, warranting a change in name more appropriate to its purpose—The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

“Even if we educated you really well for next year, we’ve still done you a disservice because you’re going to be working ten, twenty and thirty years into the future,” said Dean Christopher Frost, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences The newly revamped College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences’ strategic plan is outlined in the Aspirational Strategic Action Plan, or ASAP. The plan lays the groundwork for the college’s visions rethinking every aspect of education for the former School of Humanities, affecting undergraduates, graduates and certificates students in the years to come.

“The first half of the year that we spent developing this plan was answering who are we? What is the humanities and the social sciences? What do we have in common?”

Dean Frost commented.

Overseen by Dean Frost, with assistance from Dr. Bill Israel, chair of the communication studies department, the College of Arts, Humanities and Social

Sciences will be a collaborative effort of faculty and donors alike who wish to push their students to the highest degree of success. Motivated by this desire, the ASAP addresses that although the name change was necessary, it was just the symbol of the changes expected to come. Unifying the various degrees and programs within the college, allows a greater emphasis on the role the college plays within the realm of the university.

“We also deliver about 85 percent of the core curriculum, meaning the courses all students take regardless of what school they’re in,” said Dean Frost.

Students should expect a steady slew of changes to their schedule options, internship opportunities, and current resource availabilities. These changes are geared towards shaping more well-rounded students in a variety of skills, in hopes of enhancing the student’s performance in their major and future work.

A prime example is the inclusion of non-history majors contributing to the History Media Project. The History Media Project supplements students’ core skills by incorporating their passions in writing, allowing students to write on a topic of their choosing through a historical context with a chance for their work to be recognized at the end of year’s awards ceremony. Participation is constantly growing as more and more departments seek to enlist their majors in

The office of the dean is located on the first floor of Charles Francis Hall. | Photo by Cody Rivera

the project.

“That’s what this plan is about, getting people where they need to with the greatest intensity we can to put you ahead,” said Dr. Israel Freshman will primarily witness the changes brought forth by the plan and will be an indicator in just how effective the new College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences will be in shaping future Rattlers. A digital copy of the plan has been emailed to students and faculty for further information.

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO VISIT THE STRATEGIC PLAN

The Deanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s List for Fall 2018 Published: Spring 2019

UNDERGRADUATE LIST Greehey School of Business Tanuja Singh, D.B.A., Dean HIGHEST HONORS Bianca Anchondo Sebastian Avila Olivia Ryan Bachelet Kaitlyn A. Bloch John Paul Bogran Catherine M. Cano Daniela Cardona Steven C. Cardone Ethan Matthew Carlson Marco Casanova Alicia B. Castellanos Bari Del Christian Mateo Andres Cuenca Laura Dicun Daniela M. Duran Pierre Elbayeh Jakob E. Espinoza Alejandro Manuel Farias Kristy Rose Feather Jose Rodrigo Fernandez Pedro Angel Fuentes Katarina Grace Garza Jennifer L. Gutierrez Diana Isabel Gutierrez Avery Faith Heimer Marisa Sanchez Ibarra Salah Bassam Ismail Anabel Faith Korrodi Bryce Emory Laursen Shelina Markose Cameron A. Martinez Clarissa Garcia Martinez

Gerry Jeremiah Medlin Martin Steve Medrano Camila Sofia Mencia Dashia Lorenza Miles Savannah I. Monterrey Raymond Nash Munoz Maria B. Navarro Hannah Odom Magda Mayela Olivas Hannah Rose Petersen Emily C. Pierson Angelica Renee Rabago Darion D. Ramirez Taylor Elizabeth Rech Madeleine L. Reeves Diana K. Rocha Ramos Katherine M. Rodriguez Kimberly Ann Rodriguez Enrrique Santa Cruz Lance Christopher Siler Kimberly N. Simmons Lori E. Sims Christopher S. Sistrunk Ryan M. Smith Quinton K. Smithwick Mauricio Soto Ilina Spasova Karla Elizabeth Tobias Alex Valdez Christopher M. Vasquez Lesli Vidal Cordelia Villapando

HIGH HONORS Juan Aguilar Jessica Judith Avila John Barr Allison J. Beatty Barbara A. Campos Vanessa Noelle Chavez Guadalupe Delgado Mikayla Durham Marco Antonio Flores Sarah Anne Foguth Danika Petryce Garza Alexander Randall Gee Liam M. Gillooly Miranda Lee Gonzales Maria Regina Gonzalez Richard Kyle Green Jonier Gutierrez Nathalie M. Handal Oswaldo Hernandez Danielle Kathryn Latter Avery Bay Looney Georgina Maass Ava Danielle Martinez

Sabrina Celeste Martinez Cody Caleb Miller Lauren Alia Mlouhi Richard Joseph Morales Daniela Haydee Morales Eric M. Mudgett Mia Michelle Muniz Kirsten Kay Payne Ashley Marie Penshorn Ruben G. Ramon Perla Reyna Luis A. Rodriguez Puerto Nadia Nicole Salazar Josue E. Sanchez-Sanchez Samuel E. Santos Enrique B. Segovia Miguel A. Terrazas Alejandra Danielle Tovar Andrew J. Townsend Tina Valdez Mark Joseph Vaporean Natalie K. Varnell Paige Marie Weiss

HONORS Mauricio Albo Jennifer Lara Alvarez Jocelyn Alvarez Bibian Jackeline M. Amador Fernando Alberto Amans Luisa X. Barbagelatta Alan Barr Luis M. Bonilla Thomas E. Boyle Joshua Cameron Breard Eduardo Andres Castillo Matias M. Castro Juliana C. Cerda Bryann E. Cervantes Ryann I. Cervantes Alfonso Chapa Monica L. Chavarria Alejandra Colorado Danielle Renee Costly Eyerusalem Debebe Jessica Pauline Flores Daria A. Flowers Jorge Luis Galindo

Emily Ann Gallegos Callan Joseph Gawlik Luis Salvador Godoy Brianda A. Gomez Gabrielle Elyse Gonzalez Rani Joy Goodland Daniella P. Guerrero Jose R. Guerrero Victoria N. Helmers Bianca M. Hernandez Issa Juana Huerta Ezra Hurd Dalton Pierce Kajs Randi K. Kelly Mason Gregory Kheiv Maryam Shirin Khezri Rylie Jean Kieny Megan Elizabeth Krippel Karen L. Manzanares Juan Jose Martel Reagan Edward Meuret John Frederic Mijares Aylin A. Montes de Oca

Bruno L. Montes de Oca Montserrat Moreno Dalia Husam Omar Leslie Ortiz Michael C. Patton Natalie J. Pena Valeria C. Perez Morgan Playle Bojan Popovic Maria Fernda Quintero Ahmed H. Rabaan Cameron James Ramirez Miranda Nicole Ramos

William E. Rybicki Fernanda I. Sandoval Emily Grey Snedeker Karen Torres Alberto C. Torres Leah Tovar Katie L. Tracy Cristopher Valdez Melisa Vila Gerardo Villarreal Paul L. Winters Angela M. Zavala

School of Humanities and Social Sciences Christopher Frost, Ph.D., Dean HIGHEST HONORS Jazlynn N. Ajel Savannah A. Alcazar Roger Alonzo Faisal Shaeh Alqarni Chelsea Ariana Alvarez Cristina A. Anguiano Gabriela A Aquino Omar Zachariah Baki Jonathan B. Balderas Caroline Clarene Barnes Haley Nicole Bradfute Clarissa L. Bustamante Sequoia N. Callahan Sebastian Carnero Elisha Carrillo Aleea M. Costilla Danielle Cramberg Michael Andrew Cruz Catherine Joyce Cruz Regina De la Parra Eric Delgado Mia D. Diaz Sarah D. Diaz Phoebe Dickinson-Land Alexis M. Dillon Dominique Dominguez Natalia Flores Zaraly Frasquillo Sara Yael Funes Joseph Richard Furman Alejandra Garcia Grayson James Ginder Samantha M. Guajardo Mikaela R. Hartmann Katarina A. Hernandez Jeri A. Hernandez Yamel Claryssa Herrera Sydnee S. Hodge Christopher L. Hohman Gregory Huerta Jeffery Lane Humphries Emily Teresa Jensen Katherine R. Knodell Holly C. Knowles Cherice Ilana Leach Carla M. Leal-Willett Kelly Elizabeth Leary Maximiliano S. Lerma Brandi Nicole Loving Enrique Valentin Lozano Alexandria Joy Maciel Janice Ribaya Madayag Alexander Manibusan Jessica Marquez-Munoz Angelica Martinez Lesley Michelle Martinez Pablo D. Medina Guadalupe Medrano Alejandra Mendez

Estevan Mendiola Jonathan T. Mitchener Richard Moreno Diego Xavier Moreno Christopher D. Mullenax Corey Andrew Nobilo Any Ojeda Renee Nicole Padilla Edward Vincent Padilla Emily V. Paez Maria Guadalupe Partida Angela Perez Breanna Nicole Perry Joshua Avtar Perry Marcus Plataniotis Nydia Gabriela Ramirez Faith A. Ramirez Dalton Hank Reamy Robert Oscar Rees Gisela Reyes Jamira G. Richardson Bailey Noel Rider William J. Rittenhouse Citlalli Rivera Etiem G. Rivera Ysenia A. Rodriguez Jocelyn J. Rodriguez Cynthia Rodriguez Karley I. Rosales Samantha A. Ruvalcaba Abigail Rose Sachnik Victoria Anais Salazar Jessika Bibiana Saldana Evian-loren L. Salgado Andrea Salinas Claudia R. Sanchez Ana Paula Saravia Samantha Geree Schulte Gabriela Verenis Serrato Kayla Marie Sison Sideco Angeles Ivonne Silva Danielle S. Slaughter Tyler R. Sleeter Mario A. Sosa Thomas Galaviz Suarez Nicholas Ivan Tapia Jose A. Tapia Mishell Toledo Angel Torres Kendall Bell Traa Glory F.E. Turnbull Teresa M. Valdez Victoria M. Valle Samantha J. Valverde Alan Jassiel Vargas Carlos Roberto Vazquez Sadie Marie Villarreal Matthew Caleb Wyatt

HIGH HONORS Greyson Lee Addicott Miranda K. Alamilla Luis F. Arroyos Krista Leann Baca Kelsey Vanessa Barron Angelina Lynn Camacho Abigale Louise Carney Alejandro Carrillo Lauren Rene Casillas Mariah E. Cavanaugh Catherine C. Centeno Joshua Arlin Collins Edelia Corona Sierra M. Coronado Rheanna Jean Crabbe

Nichole B. Crawley Tawny E. Davis Tyler Dewayne Dick Christopher F. Dunn Rebecca Escobar Angelica Espinoza Rebekah Lynn Esquivel Diamond D. Estrada Grace Catherine Frey Sierra Nichole Fuentes Alexis Monique Garcia Emily A. Garcia Alessandra J. Garza Guadalupe Garza Meghan E. Godinez

Madelaine P. Goldspink Sheila R. Gonzales Eric Jordan Grant Elizabeth A. Guardiola Matthew Gutierrez MacKenzie Anne Harless Benjamin Case Harper Rebekah A. Hubacek Brandon Ichavez Amerika L. Jayme Andrew Jazbani Donte T. Joseph Natalie Mendoza Juarez Lindsey M. Kaufman Charles C. Keller Cameron Ann Koerner Christian M. Lozano Jacqueline Lucero Ariana Madero Kenedy Jade Martinez Marcelino A. Martinez Maralicia Martinez Averie A. Mendez Paige Nicole Meyer Ximena S. Mondragon Ashleigh Ann Morales Rosario Frances Moreno Andrea Moreno Anthony J. Moulton Rebecca K. Muller Annissa M. Noblejas Timothy Brian Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Dekirk Rocio Orozco Eric Iovanny Ortega

Virianny Italy Ortiz Kayla Nicole Patton Diana Nicole Perez Celeste A. Perez Jaycie Shelton Pluenneke Arysia J. Porter Paul Henry Pruski Marian S. Reyes Sabrina Rodriguez Janice Rodriguez Mariana Rojano Esperanza Illia Rojas Samantha B. Salazar Kimberly A. Salazar Socorro C. Salazar Franchizca Scipio Hanadi Sonouper Samantha Stevenson Jacob David Stevenson Felicia M. Stewart Stephen Andrew Talik Natalie Kathleen Thamm Madison T. Ticas Alexia Torres Aimee A. Trevino Ruben Valle Angel Gabriel Velarde Vanessa S. Velasquez Shalini Venkat Kaitlin Brianne Walla Ian Marshall Warner Riley J. Wincheski Benjamin T. Wittmaier Thiffany Lilian Yeupell

HONORS Julian Frank Aguero Venus Aurora Agueros Nathan Sebrant Alba Victoria K. Aldridge

Abdulrahman Almaghlooth

Eva Noelle Alpar Jaiden C. Alvarado Ilse Gabriela Amaya Andrew Arizola Claudia J. Arredondo Monica Nicole Avila Isabela Ambereen Baker Nicolas B. Basaldu Marie N. Baumgartner Dominique Marie Bernal Sarah Racquel Bernal Michaelangelo Betancourt

Pablo G. Bocanegra Maria F. Bodei Ivan L. Briones Brendan Miles Brown Brandon Brown Andrea V. Cabrera Maria C. Callejas Amanda N. Cantu Indira C. Cardenas Andy Carrera Serena Nicole Casanova Summer Rae Casarez Vanessa Marie Castanon Marina Salety Castro Marissa J. Ceballos Nayeli Patricia Cervantes Destiny M. Cervantes Brandi Cheung Antonio T. Coffee Maren Craig Julia N. Cruz Micaela Stefani Cruz Emily N. Darley Ezequiel De La Fuente Christopher De La Rosa Mario Alberto De Leon Rory D. De Los Santos Frida L. De Paolo Lucas Del Rio-Malewski Jose L. Diaz Kacey Nikole Diaz Brandon K. Duprey Ryan J. Estes Alyssa Brianne Estrada Sabrina I. Evans Miranda A. Flores Brianna Renee Ford Thomas Daniel Fraire Alyssa Ashley Fuentes Kacey Y. Fujino Daisy Garcia Eva Fernanda Garcia Melissa A. Getz Roman A. Gonzales

Gabriella Gonzalez Ana Paula Gonzalez Christian Gonzalez Alicia August Guzman Sydney Paige Hardeman Joseph A. Hernandez Ariel Celeste Hernandez Jason Cody Hoosier Sabrina M. Hsu Zonia Teresa Huerta Rachel M. Huron Staci Nicole Johns Paulina Lejarza Tiffany Kari Licon Kisha Joy Liscano Sarah Elizabeth Lugo Andrew Raylee Magee Maria A. Mancha Kimberly A. Martinez Amara Maritza Martinez Alma Paola Martinez Erick Paul Martinez Cassandra Leigh Mccann Luis A. Morales Alison Morales-Aguilar Diana Munoz Miranda Hoyt Narvaez Fatima Navarro Daniela A. Ochoa Laura Lee Olivarez Natalie Padilla Eriq Matthew Padilla Abigail Kurtis Page Yesenia A. Palomo Tyanne Alisha Pearcy Madison E. Perales Jonathan Perez Alana M. Pohovich Laura Sofia Ponce Joseph Radicke Miriam Yanelly Robles Kimberly I. Rodriguez Leandra D. Rodriguez Manuel D. Rodriguez Vanessa J. Rodriguez Christopher Rodriguez Oceane L. Roux Chloe Elizabeth Ruetz Thalia Blanca Ruiz Robert S. Ruiz Karla D. Salazar Victoria E. Saldana Victoria L. Sanchez Irene Rene Sandoval Aaron Jesse Sandoval Mariana Sandoval Eaton Jared Simpliciano Sofia Lore Soto Christian Paul Stevens Jassmyn S. Stevens Isabella Tamez

Joshua Matthew Tinajero Heather Moselle Toomey Bianca Marie Trevino Carina Umanzor Victoria Valtierra Victoria Vega Erin Victoria Vento

Mary Margaret Walls Leah A. Whitaker Robert Whitworth John Douglas Wittenberg Ronnie Woods Aneesa Manar Zubair

School of Science, Engineering, and Technology Winston Erevelles, Ph.D., Dean HIGHEST HONORS Mujeeb Asabi Adelekan Adam Al-Rafati Jessie Jennelle Alfaro Preston Carl Allen Maggie Amador Komron Aminian Adrian R. Ballesteros Isabelle B. Bergman Maryam Borhamah Benjamin J. Boyle Cristian Buelna Pamela E. Callahan Amilynn Nicole Campa Alexander K. Cantrell Brianna Luisa Carrillo Ankita Chabra Alyssa Martha Cortez Chloe Ann Crichton Adrianna Christi Cruz Andres Jerell Cuellar Mya J. Culiver Jada Marie Dauphine Eduardo Davalos Hoang Hai Dinh Giovanni Etienne Doria Ana Elise Dornbusch Shafqat Fahmid Ehsan Ernest Stephen Elizondo Roberto Enriquez Jade Gisele Evenstad David Abraham Feagins Roberto C. Fernandez Brandon Xavier Franco Alejandra A. Garcia Tori Nichole Gardner Danielle R. Garza Reagan Wilson Gately Claudio Gomez Rebeca M. Gurrola Madelyn Elizabeth Hall Rebecca Hernandez Alexander D. Horwath Vinh Kiem Huynh Jabnel J. Ibarra Evelin Saji Joseph

Pragyan K C Victoria Anne Leh Carolina Berenice Lopez Luke David Lussier Allison Lee Magera Meredith Grace Marcum Kabir Prem Mathur Ethan McDonald Rachel Love McDonald Alexandra L. Mclennan Kenya V. Medina Aleacia Maude Messiah Jose Angel Molina Savannah M. Muniz Raynelle Lynette Nash Jack K. Nunnington Wendy C. Ornelas Nixon Rodrigo Pastor Ruby Sarai Perez Basil Qasem Wilzave Quiles Katherine M. Ramos Alicia Reyes Magen C. Robinson Jolynn Rodriguez Elijah M. Romero Cherubina SibyRubannelsonkumar Annabelle Sackey Gabriela G. Sandoval Scott Wayne Siler Andrea T. Smith Adriana Smith Gabriel Esai Torres Khoa D. Tran Josephine Y. Tran Dat Ly Trinh Kimberly H. Tse Samman Tyata Zoe Eva Vanover Thomas Sam Varghese Juan Carlos Villa Natalie E. Villarreal Kennedy M. Wittmann Allison Taylor Woods

HIGH HONORS Karina Alagoa Abdulmohsin Alyafee Alexis Lorraine Amaya Arturo Canchola Vy Doan Amanda Figueroa Sarah Michelle Flores Geyner Andres Gaona Dominique G. Garcia Valeria Garcia Gutierrez Matej Gaspert Karalissa Rose Hranitzky Octaviano Huron Benjamin Olesco Kibler Brayan A. Olmos Ratna Hamsini Ramaraju

Mariah Carol Ramos Victoria Rodriguez Vanessa L. Ruiz Robles Luis Fernando Sanchez Emmanuel Serrano Nida Siddiqui Michael K. Squire Jose Manuel Tanori Sainz Xavier Nathaniel Tijerina Joel Eberto Trejo Amelia I. Tristan Jose Luis Vera-Cruz Evelin Villegas Vivian Thai Vu Ruby Elizabeth Wynn Marcelo A. Zamora

HONORS Manar Abouhenidi Mia Angelica Aguilar Andrea Maresa Aldaz Meshal H. Alkhaldi John M. Allen Ahmed Alqahtani Clarissa Alvarez Shirish Amatya Jocelyn Baca Sejal Bakhati Emily M. Bartlett Savannah Elaine Berger Carlos Blasco Pino

Emma Elizabeth Bodisch Zachary James Bosker Ruayda Bouls Cameron Lloyd Bradley Richard Hoang Bui Belia G. Camarena Sebastian Jose Castro Anuar Jesus Daccarett Ricardo De La Cruz Eliana K. De La Fuente Kathryn Clare Drees Clarissa Duran Martinez Jose Luis Figueroa

James Flynn Daniela Frausto Justin W. Garcia Hector Abraham Garcia Adriana Garnica Yazmin Garza Karina Mercedes Garza Jake Andrew Gleinser Marina Guardado Brianna Alexis Guillen Cristina Izellah Gutierrez Carmela N. Hartness Sara E. Hernandez Nathan David Hudson Nacer Ibaroudene Felix Jaime Sydney Jara-Barrio Michaela Leigh Jeanis Michael Francis Leary Emmanuel Earl Leonard Kristyna A. Lopez Breanne B. Ludovice Maya Rose Mani Nathan Ediso Lee Marcos Jake Anthony Mares Oscar Jaime S. Martinez Victoria E. Martins Ahmed Jamal Matar Lavenderjit K. Mehat Ana Lucia Molina Alejandra M. Romero Jocelyn S. Moreno Diana Moreno-Gutierrez Naomi M. Narro Lamvien Tan Nguyen Thao Ngoc Nguyen

Janson Nguyen Otito N. Onwuzurike Chika Amy Onwuzurike Alain Patrick Peralt Andrew David Perez Samantha Perez Juan Luis Pinedo Jeremy Ramirez Monica Ramon Shannon Marie Riechers Mackenzie Rion Ritch Cody G. Rivera Nicolas Alberto Romero Carlos A. Rosales Moran Gabriel Rubannelsonkumar Enrique Salinas John Robert Sanchez Hector Octavio Sandoval Gabriela P. Santos Bolanos Tara Nicole Sellers Colin Patterson Strong Shawn Buggy Tober Ignacio Torres Arpi Pous Francesca N. Toscano Jeanettee Uribe Adam Kyle Valadez Miguel Angel Valdes Jesus Valencia Joel Elio Vargas Emily Ann Velazquez Derek Villalobos Hannah Phyllis Wilson Ashley M. Yates-Contreras Amanda L. Zamudio Bryan B. Zarate

GRADUATE LIST Greehey School of Business Jeremy Scott Barnes Daniel William Bryant William Buhrman Matthew Scott Cabral Carlos Gabriel Carranza

Vilimira N. Delcheva Abida Parveen Dhanani Jesse James Fernandez Meghan E. Geraci Gary Peter Guillory

Krystle Dawn Herzog Carolina Mansour Patrick Talley Marsh Lauren Michael Alexander Parker Quintin Andrew Pile

Wesley Ward Purcell Catalina Margarita Valdes Moreno Melissa Waterfield Ian Waterfield Ashleigh Anne Wempe

School of Humanities and Social Sciences Alaa Jamal Alkhanany Cynthia Lucia Avila Elissa Susan Binion Veronica Gail Bou Onk Ciaira Briseno Celia Victoria Carzoli Fabian Castro Colette Chase Lauren N. Chavez Stephanie Cowan Judith Kay Crumrine Andrew Deregla Doan N.T. Doan Joseph Ferrizzi Yadira P. Flores Kendra Danielle Foisie Regina Garcia Jimenez Natalia Garcia-Moreno Rebecca L. Gerstner Kinzee Jo Goehring Georgina Rachel Gosen Joseph Gottsch Jarmila Gupta

Natasha R. Haight Carolyn Leigh King Kimberly Vaio Knopf Cara Jeanne Leaf Maria Martinez Santos Paola Misteli Amanda N.Mouton Yu Gyoung Park Samantha Jo Pearson Jason Phillips Mark Andrew Ruth Marisa Elena Salazar Kristal Danielle Salinas Ryle Dalton Scribner Kathryn Shaw-Meadow LaRae Annette Sleeter Mariah S. Tamborella Crystal Thomas Nicanor Valdez Nina Renee Wolf Darien J. Wolliston

School of Science, Engineering, and Technology Alex S. Artola Badr M. Basager Mohammed Basarwan

Simon Wei Qi Lew Scott Curtis Raymond Kushal Ruteshbhai Shah

6 OPINION

EDITOR: VICTORIA SALDANA | @STMURATTLERNEWS | APRIL 10, 2019

Sustainability integration on campus is dependent on student involvement Victoria

Saldana OPINION EDITOR

As Fiesta Oyster Bake approaches, the time of the year where the most trash accumulates on campus, the beauty and environment of St. Mary’s is called to attention. The teams staying behind to clean up after Oyster Bake are vitally important, but more can be done to prevent trash from accumulating on the ground and on the landscape of the campus, and even more can be accomplished to prevent improper recycling.

The environmental sustainability of St. Mary’s is dependent upon all who step on campus, although the majority of this responsibility should be shouldered by the student body to advocate for their campus.

One of the ideas to accomplish this goal has to do with incentivizing recycling.

The Environment Conservation and Outreach (ECO) Club is offering five-dollar food coupons for every bag of recycled aluminum given to their booth. Although a small incentive, this campaign succeeded at its trial at Homecoming Oyster Bake, and they reduced the possibility of individuals throwing aluminum away. However, this is just one registered student organization doing this, and more implementation of incentives like this from other booths

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief Samantha Salazar Managing Editor Isabela Vazquez Copy Editor Julissa Cantu Advertising Manager Daria Flowers Photo Editor Karina Charo Cody Rivera Layout and Design/Web Editor Victoria Valle Social Media Manager Jocelyn Alvarez Bibian News Editor Louie Diaz Lifestyle Editor Sabrina Evans Opinion Editor Victoria Saldana Entertainment Editor Elizabeth Arredondo Sports Editor Tawny Davis Faculty Adviser Camille Langston, Ph.D.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICY The Rattler welcomes letters to the editor.

Letters should not exceed 500 words and must include writer’s name, classification, major and telephone number. Editors reserve the right to edit submissions for length, grammar, spelling and content. For more information, call the newsroom at (210) 436-3401 or email rattlernews@gmail.com.

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could drastically change waste at Oyster Bake.

Although incentives like these leave a lot of responsibility on participants of the event, these ideas and campaigns need backing from administration to do their part in sustainability. The Sustainability Commitee on campus, composed primarily of faculty assists with these matters greatly.

Environmental change begins individually and moves to communities to make the most impact. Many ecosystems like the Gulf of Mexico have suffered waiting for the forces of large governmental entities to intervene and help prevent and clean the pollution. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in 2017 reported the Gulf having a dead zone of 8,776 miles, the size of New Jersey. In waiting for state and federal regulation, a large part of the ocean was lost. In this way, waiting for administration to intervene in campus sustainability could be a long process making local involvement that much more imperative.

Students are the ones who live, learn, and work on campus, and keeping their space around them as healthy as possible should be a top priority. Oyster Bake is only once a year, and year-round sustainability should be implemented in the continuous contribution of caring for the campus.

In this goal, a composting initiative has been proposed by the ECO Club. This initiative would be through Aramark, and

Photo courtesy of ECO Club

although the club would like to begin next semester, the lack of push from members outside the ECO club could make it a slow process. The composting could directly benefit the campus in beautification projects and in the community garden, which is currently donation-driven.

Aramark supports composting on other campuses, but unless more student voices are heard, this valuable initiative could fall though.

“We envision St. Mary’s University as a sustainable community that promotes and

strengthens the University’s Catholic and Marianist identity,” Isabela Baker, senior psychology and biology major and Vice President of the ECO club, stated.

Students should take a more proactive role in campus sustainability. As the majority voice on campus, they have the loudest voice and can enact the most impact. With support from administration, keeping the campus healthy is not only for the sake of future generation of students, but the community as a whole.

“Twilight” does not suck, society just shames girls’ interests Victoria

Saldana OPINION EDITOR

November 2008 brought fan-favorite “Twilight” to the big screen, bringing with it t-shirts, backpacks, and other collectibles. Although it gained popularity soon thereafter, it is seen as one of the worst movies of our generation. This opinion as a whole has been hyperbolized by a misogynistic society because, in all honesty, “Twilight” was not that bad.

As the movie gained popularity and the faces and symbols of the movie were plastered onto anything anyone could purchase, judgment began to be passed on those who bought into the fandom. Thus began the shaming of liking “Twilight.”

The judgement claimed the production was terrible, the plot was simplistic and, more importantly, labeled the movie as a chick-flick, which thereby gave everyone permission to mock it.

This is not right or fair in all respects of the movie.

Fans of the series were enraptured with the film adaptation, and many others who had not read the books began to read them after seeing the movie. It is indisputable, the young adult novel and movie targeted teenage girls primarily, and, to profit from this, the memorabilia was bountiful— posters, shirts, blankets and much more was created for fan consumption. As the movie became more popularized, the judgement on those who enjoyed it became harsher.

Critics who claim that the production was terrible usually take issue with the sepia-blue filter that encompasses the movie and the wide-angle shots of the green landscape which has received back

and forth commentary. What typically is not mentioned is the fact that “Twilight” was produced as an indie movie with a low production budget. With a budget of 37 million, the film’s director Catherine Hardwicke was able to capture the Washington landscape from high altitudes and produce the special effects of the vampire characters. Altogether, the saga’s films would gross 1.3 billion in the box office, with the first movie alone making 190 million dollars. Despite this, Hardwicke takes the most shame for what is considered failures—that her creation is just a teenage, vampire romance and, therefore, a disappointment. But Hardwicke does not get credit for making more than five times than what she was given to work with.

Graphic by Victoria Valle

“Twilight” is a teenage, vampire romance at its simplest, and people can find so much wrong with it, but what one sees is what one gets. No one marketed “Twilight” to be the next “Casablanca” or “Titanic,” and it is definitely nowhere close to that caliber, but it is still enjoyable. It is fantasy and romance, and in comparison, to “The Princess Bride” which also holds these themes, it can just be enjoyed without over analysis

of the obvious melodramatic plot. It does not hurt to enjoy something silly and many would say it is a form of self-care actually.

Although many harshly criticize anything that is not to the acclaim of movies like “Citizen Cane” and “Pulp Fiction” and deem it unworthy of any value. Sometimes, movies are just meant to be enjoyed and “Twilight” has the nostalgia for this effect.

Finally, for all the reasons “Twilight” is ridiculed, movies like “Transformers” and “The Avengers,” produced with much higher budgets but contain the same elements of fantasy and romance, are not passed with as much judgment. More so, those who like these movies find themselves considered cool and are not urged to hide what they like about the movie. The reason those who like “Twilight” are made fun of so harshly is because they are predominantly young women. Misogyny has reiterated throughout modern society that anything girls like can be equated with stupidity.

A lot of what makes “Twilight” the worst movie is the society it has aged in, which still tells people to hate what young girls like and that it is okay to do so. But what is attributed for boys’ enjoyment, like “Transformers” and “The Avengers,” is cool and young – and adult – men are not be ridiculed for joining the fandom.

“Twilight” is by no means a cinematic masterpiece, and no one claims this, but what young women like, and what women like Catherine Hardwicke created out of essentially nothing, should not be devaluated to the worst movie because of who the aimed audience is. Further, audiences should be able to just enjoy things for what they are.

OPINION 7

APRIL 10, 2019 | STMURATTLERNEWS.COM

Ivy league briberies prove American colleges are controlled by the wealthy Julissa

Cantu COPY EDITOR

An oligarch-ruled United States has been a presence in our society ever since President Ronald Regan began cutting taxes for the rich. This more than likely has been a shadow in American and international politics before then.

The prominent difference between the working class and its rulers can be observed in the city of San Antonio, especially, as it is the most economicallysegregated city in the country. It is seen in the vast differences in school districts that are partly funded through the income taxes of the district; in the fact, there are more polling locations on the Northside of San Antonio, a higher income region, in comparison to the rest of the city. This used to be seen more prominently with higher income students having access to private tutors and internships and networking opportunities. However, the American public has currently seen this instituted in a different method: rich parents buying their children’s acceptance into ivy league universities.

This investigation conducted by the FBI has revealed some comical aspects – the name of the investigation was dubbed Operation Varsity Blues and the involvement of actress Lori Loughlin is hilariously ironic – the overall results

are troubling for current and incoming college students. The accused, William Singer, a graduate of Trinity University, has reportedly bribed standardized test coaches to embellish test scores and even went as far as to Photoshop clients’ children’s head onto athletes’ bodies to continue the charade. Other brazen instances of foul play are apparent, including bribing testing

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ana facilitators to allow someone else to take the place of an applicant. The findings of this investigation have been transparently illegal and immoral. However, there are many more instances of immorality in the application process but are deemed legal. It is these instances that leave underprivileged students to confront a system of wealth and power to fight for a spot they actually worked their entire lives for.

There are a few things higher income parents can afford to spend on their children, many of which students from lower income families cannot find in their budget to afford. For example, ivy league schools usually seek students who have shown an interest in attending before applying. This can take form in scheduling a school visit, but it comes at a high cost for lower income students.

They have to pay for transportation to and from, a place to stay for the duration of their

visit, and meals.

And even then, doing all of this does not guarantee the students consideration by the admissions boards.

Taking these initiatives are usually signs of a very interested, and very wealthy, applicant.

There is also the aspect of alumni, legacy admissions, that are inclined towards wealthier applicants. Applicants that are children of alumni have the odds stacked in their favor and given a closer

look than other applicants. In addition to this, these applicants, if rejected, may be asked to take a gap year and are just accepted the next year. In addition, there is an extensive alumni network, these students have access to a multitude of opportunities, such as internships, that other students do not have.

Finally, college admission committees take into account parental donations made to the school. However, they have to be substantial donations, such as Jared Kushner’s father making a donation of 2.5 million dollars in order to grant Kushner’s acceptance.

This phenomenon was highlighted in the Harvard admissions trials occurring in 2018. This was shown in emails sent by Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Dean William Fitzsimmons, who showed to favor applicants who could commit to donations the size of buildings – literally.

These ivy league institutions have created a daunting reputation for themselves – that they are the best in higher level education. However, they are starting to form a different one for themselves, one that exemplifies immoral decisions and how they chose to make up for it. Ivy league acceptance rates are lower than ever, possibly in response to lawsuits and investigations and whatever else that may be occurring in these settings. Perhaps it is the culture in America today, tuition rates are rising, the average student debt amounts are rocketing upwards, and graduates are less likely to acquire jobs. However, due to the mistakes of the wealthy lower income students have to pay the price – a price they cannot afford.

Chick-fil-a donates to anti-LGBTQ+ organizations and lacks community values Victoria

Saldana OPINION EDITOR

Early March 2019, the San Antonio city council voted to exclude Chick-fil-a from the San Antonio airport’s line-up of restaurants in a seven-year contract. This proposal was spearheaded by councilman Roberto Trevino who believed a company like Chick-fil-a did not belong.

“San Antonio is a city full of compassion, and we do not have room in our public facilities for a business with a legacy of antiLGBTQ behavior,” Trevino said. “Everyone has a place here, and everyone should feel welcome when they walk through our airport.”

Councilman Trevino could not be more right. The airport is where people of all backgrounds travel through, whether making a trip or just passing through, they should feel welcomed. Not just because it is a value of the city, but for the sake of economic gain, as the city should want more people to come here. Furthermore, the airport has a limited selection of food, and individuals should not be forced to compromise their values to accommodate for the limited

variety of food. Similarly, St. Mary’s student can be faced with the same decision as there are even more limitations on campus.

Zoe Brigman, sophomore music major and president of Safe Space, asserts that the company has problems stemming from its founders.

“The problem stems from the Cathy family, who founded the restaurant,” she said. “They also made a foundation called Winshape that made several very large donations to other organizations with histories of anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination.”

Brigman’s problem with Chick-fil-a arises from the fact that patronizing the restaurant indirectly funds homophobia.

“Every single Chick-fil-a restaurant you see, including the one here on campus, puts money directly into the pockets of its homophobic CEO, Dan Cathy,” she said.

ThinkProgress, a progressive news outlet, reported earlier last month Chickfil-a in 2017 donated 1.8 million dollars to groups which discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community. These are not the only reports of Chick-fil-a being antiLGBTQ+, and ThinkProgress’s report has increased visibility of the issue. This has led to change within the San Antonio economic structure.

Corporations have the right to donate to any organization they please, but, just as they do, individuals and communities will also make the choice to patronize such corporations. Individuals must consider their values when making purchases. Every dollar spent at a corporation that does not hold similar values can be donating to organizations which go against one’s own.

Chick-fil-a responded to being voted out by the city council and voiced their desires to understand the decision.

“We wish we had the opportunity to clarify misperceptions about our company prior to the vote,” they said in a statement.

“We agree with the council member that everyone should feel welcome at Chickfil-A. In fact, we have welcomed everyone in San Antonio into our 32 local stores for more than 40 years.”

This may be true branch-to-branch, and this is not to say that individual managers and employees feel the same as those who head the company, but it also does not change the values of the CEO. Critics of the decision to exclude the restaurant from the airport claim that it is actually city council who is excluding others. However, Chick-fil-a is unaccepting

to the LGBTQ+ community, maybe not in their individual branches, but as a company where a large portion of money goes to homophobic beliefs. In excluding Chick-fil-a, the city supports inclusion by, yes, excluding those who work actively to discriminate against a community; by not allowing a platform which inhibits children and adults from living how they were born through a hostile and wrong opinion.

If being inclusive is to accept those of all races and sexualities, then the city council got it right. Communities must be inclusive and accepting to everyone who wish nothing but good will to the rest of the community. Corporations who work against groups of people, such as those who identify as LGBTQ+, do not work to build better, more inclusive communities. Communities, which support these corporations, are no longer doing all they can to uphold their values and be the exemplary status that cities such as San Antonio strive to be.

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Help Your Community, Further Your Career

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(210) 436-3102

Victoria

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Think: Continuing the Heritage and the 5k for the Neighborhood. These are to benefit the community surround St. Mary’s. By helping, we hopefully also come to see the value of helping where we can, how we can, whenever we can.

T INF C A T O N stmucareer@ stmarytx.edu

Careers

ED TO KN E N O

STRIVE stands for: Successful Transformative Results from Innovative Vocational Experience.

It is a powerful resource for career guidance on campus located in the UC across from the bookstore next to the water fountain. On this page you can see some of the resources provided by STRIVE as well as some ideas to jumpstart your career while you are still in college. Summer is coming up and if you do not have plans for an internship or study abroad yet it is time to start making them.

Many deadlines for upcoming programs have passed but the summer is a great time to get ahead of fall and spring 2020 deadlines.

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Study Abroad?

Here’s a Good Place to Start:

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Rattler Career Students and Alumni StMU Connect (Alumni Only)

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STRIVE TO PLAN THIS SUMMER

Don’t forget the resources UNIQUE to St. Mary’s:

Photo courtesy of stmurattlernews.com

A few more sites beside idealist.org with similar functions include:

www.charityvillage.com www.nonprofitcareer.com

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e d. c o m

www.Indeed.com www.snagajob.com www.ziprecruiter.com

Companies That Hire International Students:

Photo by Karina Charo

CPS Energy Labatt Food Service West Corporation ProScribe Rackspace

Internships? Start Here: www.internships.com www.glassdoor.com www.worldinternships.org

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Business students preparing NIBS. Photo by Cody Rivera

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Photo courtesy of the Rattler

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Photos courtesy of @stmu_rattlers_abroad

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Ximena Mondragon (left) at her internship at the Texas capitol

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Need a Job? Check out these sites:

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W E A H Y T

These are just a few of hundreds of companies, websites, and programs which students can use to bolster their resumes. Make an appointment with the STRIVE Center today for more information about jobs and for career guidance!

10 LIFESTYLE

EDITOR: SABRINA EVANS | @STMURATTLERNEWS | APRIL 10, 2019

MENTAL MOMENTS: The benefits of crying and how students can grow from it SABRINA EVANS LIFESTYLE EDITOR

A common misconception is that tears are a sign of weakness. In reality, crying can be very beneficial for one’s mental health and interpersonal relationships. Sometimes, classes and organizations can make students feel very overwhelmed to the point they want to cry. This is perfectly normal in the college environment and should be more encouraged. Crying is a productive way to release held in emotions and cope with everyday obstacles.

Other benefits of crying include healing, boosting immunity and reducing levels of anger and stress. Some people tend to cry more naturally than others and feel like something is wrong with them, but, in reality, crying is a sign of strength. According to researcher and author of “Crying: The Mystery of Tears,” Dr. William Frey, crying releases different chemicals and hormones that produce the prolactin hormone which plays an important role in a strong immune system.

Students may feel the urge to suppress emotions and put their mental health on the back burner to avoid seeming weak. This is something to avoid because suppressing emotions can cause a build-up of anger or bitterness which will end up making situations worse over time. Confronting these emotions can help address whatever

emotional baggage one is holding onto. because one feels joy can either happen When addressing negative feelings, crying because joy has not been felt in a while or can make it easier to stop and assess a because one has felt a sense of happiness situation better. From there, one is better they have lacked in the past. The equipped to move forward and embrace best way to cope with happy opportunities for personal growth crying is to allow it to happen and development. since this type of crying usually There are several types of crying lasts for two to five minutes. and learning about what they are Crying from anger is based and how to cope with them is off of the same impulsive very important for the healing feelings, but instead process. There is cathartic is linked to wanting crying which can be attention and to let described as the crying of people know that transformation. It is the they have made deepest type of crying them mad or and often leads to a upset. Angry catharsis or major crying is transformation not usually of one’s life and productive. perspective.

T h e Cathartic crying re commend is often associated c o p i n g with loss or tragedy mechanism and can be difficult is to walk away to overcome.

The from the situation recommended healing making one angry process is to continue releasing and seclude themselves all of one’s emotions until the Graphic by Sabrina Evans until they come to terms negative feelings of grief pass. with the angry emotions they Psychotherapy often intensifies this kind of are feeling.

If not, it can lead to reacting crying.

Crying for joy is another kind of crying violently or saying regretful statements. that is similar to crying from anger. Crying Crying from anger can also lead to crying to manipulate, which is done in order to

gain sympathy or make someone feel guilty.

This is an unproductive means of crying and can lead to strained relationships and an increase in negative emotions. Crying to manipulate is not recommended and if one feels the urge to do so they should remove themselves from the situation immediately and also avoid saying negative phrases such as, “you don’t love me,” “I hate you” or “how could you do this to me?”

A common type of crying amongst college students is crying to relieve stress.

Women, in particular, cry in this way because it is more common for women to hold onto stress without releasing it for the duration of a few hours to a few days.

This type of crying can be brought on by something seemingly innocuous. This type of crying usually occurs after holding in stress and feeling so overwhelmed to the point that one combusts into tears. There is no ulterior motive in this kind of crying. It is simply a means of releasing emotions and the recommended healing process is to let all of the tears go, ideally, it should be done in a private setting.

According to the German Society of Ophthalmology, the average adult will cry between 30 to 64 times a year. Students should know that crying is a normal occurrence and is never something to be ashamed of.

Why learning a second language is important and beneficial to students’ lives SABRINA EVANS LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Learning a second language is a timeconsuming task requiring dedication, hard work, and persistence. Many students believe learning a second language can be very beneficial for putting oneself at an advantage when searching for internships and careers. Another benefit of learning a second language is having the ability to create connections with many people and gain different perspectives.

There are many helpful strategies that can help students learn and study more effectively. According to research in the area of second language acquisition from the University of North Carolina, there are three key elements to learning a new language: comprehensible input, comprehensible output, and review. Comprehensible input is hearing or reading a new language and then comprehending it. Comprehensible output is producing something from the new language such as speaking or writing.

Review is identifying errors and making changes. All of these elements are crucial to the learning process in order to effectively learn a new language.

“

You may feel like you’re not making any progress for weeks or months, but surely enough, if you keep at it you will develop language skills.”

Liam Gillooly senior international business major

Something to keep in mind when practicing a second language is that study plans are imperative. Study plans help

students stay on task and continue to learn.

It is important to make a plan maximizing the three key elements. Another important aspect of learning a second language is to immerse into the language. This includes listening to music, watching television shows and movies, and especially talking to other people who fluently speak the language.

Sophomore marketing major, Rebecca Chavez, is bilingual in Spanish and English and her best advice is to immerse yourself in the language. “[L]isten and watch everything in Spanish,” she said. “You will pick it up much easier.”

A commonality amongst students learning a new language is a feeling of defeat when they feel like they just are not absorbing the language well enough or at the pace they desire. This is a big challenge to overcome, but it is necessary to keep pushing past them in order to learn a language.

Senior international business major, Liam Gillooly, who is fluent in Japanese, Korean, Spanish and English, advises to be persistent during the learning process. “[I]t doesn’t happen overnight,” he said.

“You may feel like you’re not making any progress for weeks or months, but surely enough, if you keep at it you will develop language skills.”

Students need to make mistakes in order to learn from them. In order to get out of a comfort zone when learning a new language, it is imperative to be comfortable with making errors. Full immersion is not necessary to do this, it can simply start with

having a study partner on the same level as them and working together to get better.

When studying with someone else, there are many effective study styles, but learning which one works best is what makes the learning process more efficient.

A popular study strategy for learning a new language is called distributed practice. This strategy helps one learn the importance of

breaking concepts up into smaller sessions, so the information is more manageable to attain.

T h o s e sessions need to be spread

out over time so progress can increase as time goes on.

Demi Bestor, sophomore biology major, is bilingual in English and Russian and suggests that practice is key. “[P]racticing every day will help you absorb the language more,” she said. “Also, be sure to review what you learned the day before so you can build your memory.”

While learning a new language takes a lot of practice that can easily drain a student, it is important to remember to keep in mind what motivated them to start learning in the first place. Learning a new language can help one gain access to a multitude of opportunities. It also helps one develop new ways of describing themselves, their feelings, or ideas.

Communication is a key component of life and learning anot her language can help everyone learn how to communicate more effectively in more ways than one.

Graphic by Sabrina Evans

APRIL 10, 2019 | STMURATTLERNEWS.COM

LIFESTYLE 11

TREND WATCH: perfect outfits to celebrate Fiesta 2019

Madelyn Hall, freshmen biology major, and Vanessa Montalvo, freshmen engineering management major, dress in floral attire for a dressy casual look. Their looks can be found at Francescaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.| Photo by Sabrina Evans

Danielle Garza, junior biology major, and Kathleen Karp, junior biology major have outfits perfect for any fiesta event.| Photo by Luke Willis

Graphics by Sabrina Evans

Sara Jauregui, senior marketing major, goes casual for Fiesta season with a floral top and jeans. The look can be found at Voge San Antonio or other stores including Forever 21 and H&M.| Photo by Alexis Zepeda

Natalie Viruegas, senior accounting major, and Kelley Salinas, sophomore finance and risk management major, have the classic Fiesta look. Fiesta floral tops are available anywhere, including in the Market Square, Fiesta on Main, Soflo Market, Pica Pica, and Agaci, where Salinasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; romper is from.| Photo by Sami Garza

12 ENTERTAINMENT

EDITOR: ELIZABETH ARREDONDO | @STMURATTLERNEWS | APRIL 10, 2019

Rattler features a celebration of Women’s History

The department of art celebrates Women’s History Month in new, feminist exhibit MARISSA COLUNGA STAFF WRITER

The St. Mary’s department of art presents “In Process,” an art exhibit featuring artwork exclusively created

by Karla Miranda. Chair of the art department, Brian St. John invited Miranda to display her artwork in celebration of Women’s History Month on the second floor of the Louis J. Blume Library.

“A photograph captures an instant paintings capture moments in time,” Miranda said.

Miranda graduated from the University of Texas at Brownsville, now known as the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley.

“Before I graduated, I was already known as an artistic rebel among faculty,” she said. “In a sea of contemporary, I chose to remain traditional.”

This was not always well taken by her professors. One of whom agreed to her request of working in a private studio for figurative nudes but did not provide her with an easel like her classmates had been.

Not one to be deterred, Miranda went out and bought her own easel that she uses to this very day.

After graduating, Miranda went to Italy to continue her artistic studies. She was accepted at the Florence Academy of Art, where her technique and growth as a painter grew in leaps and bounds. This,

however, was not without struggles. Used to a different style of painting, the rigidity of figure painting was a hurdle Miranda gradually over came and even began to enjoy. The art exhibit in the Blume Library displays Miranda’s growth in this style of art, as seen in her paintings of “Luca, Nadia, and Stefano.” The gradual shift in detail and painting style is wonderful to see. While at the Florence Academy, Miranda was not exempt from gender discrimination. As a student in a class of only six and the only woman, preferential treatment was subtle but a constant during her time in Italy.

Unlike some who would crumble under this knowledge, Miranda challenged herself to work harder as a painter and reexamine

what she wanted to convey through her paintings.

After not being selected for an artist in residence program at the Florence Academy, Miranda took a step back and examined herself as an artist.

“I decided to take their reasoning for not choosing me to heart and really look at my ideas and rethink what I was trying to say as a painter at the time,” she reminisces. “This outlook changed my career for the better; it led to my studio in Brownsville and now my studio in the Netherlands.”

This exhibit will be available until Wednesday, April 21st at the Louis J. Blume Library.

Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Arredondo

Jordan Peele’s “Us” delivers another twisted horror film DENISE MARTINEZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER

These past couple of weeks, it has been nearly impossible to avoid hearing any type of review of the movie “Us,” written and directed by Jordan Peele. “Us” is the highly anticipated follow up to his Oscar-winning 2017 debut “Get Out.” This movie opens up with a carnival scene where the audience first meets the main character, Adelaide, played by Lupita Nyong’o. While she is with her parents, she slips away to a house of mirrors alone where she meets an exact replica of herself. Now while one may think the sight is expected from a mirror, but with the way this replica turns her head to the side and gives an

unwelcoming, creepy smile, the audience knows this is more than a reflection and is something akin to the supernatural. Flashforward to years later and Adelaide has a husband and two children with whom she is going on a vacation with. All the while audiences feel Adelaide’s tension from the encounter she experienced when she was a little girl, which that location happens to be very close to the family’s current vacation spot.

Moments after Adelaide reveals to her husband her childhood traumatic experience, they are encountered with a family of four standing in their driveway. It is not until the family barges into the home, the audience realizes they are an exact replica of Adelaide, her husband, and her two children. These four family members are not the only doppelgangers the audience sees throughout the movie. In fact, the movie’s

main plot is how these doppelgangers are tired of living in the shadows and are ready to make a movement on their own.

Overall, it can be said this movie is well categorized as a horror thriller. It has both suspense and unexpected surprises Every moment in this movie is creepy and it has jump scares that actually pay off. There is also a bit of comedy, which audiences received well.

This movie’s rating would be a four out of five Rattlers, the fifth being left out because the story felt a bit disjointed in that it did not make complete sense at the end and leaves the audience with many unanswered questions. However, for those horror fans that simply enjoy the gore and action, it is encouraged students to buy that movie ticket and definitely spring for a large popcorn and soda because audiences are in for a true thrill.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The previously published issue of the Rattler incorrectly credited the creator of the Triangle Factory Fire Project graphic. The graphic was created by The St. Mary’s University Office of University Communications.

ENTERTAINMENT 13

APRIL 10, 2019 | STMURATTLERNEWS.COM

Homecoming Battle of the Bands sets the stage for 2019 Oyster Bake RENEE PADILLA STAFF WRITER

The Homecoming Battle of the Bands was held on March 27 in anticipation of Homecoming Baby Bake.

The Hollywood-themed event showcased five live performances

by Court Jesters, DJ A_Mag_, DJ Glennmeister, Jason Kane and the Jives, and Emperor Sons.

At the end of the night, the allstudent band, Emperor Sons, was crowned the winner.

Emperor Sons will play again on the 96.1 NOW stage at Oyster Bake. The band members include guitarist and vocalist Alejandro Beltran del Rio, drummer Adrian de la Garza, and guitarist Pragyan K C, whom were ecstatic after the balloons dropped. Earlier in the evening, a crowd of students filled the general admissions area in front of the stage before the band was even been introduced. The students

jumped and swayed with their phones’ lights as the band played covers of “The Middle”

by Jimmy Eat World; “Island In The Sun,”

by Weezer; and “Somebody That I Used To Know,” by Gotye.

“We were looking at songs that are familiar to a lot of people,” said Beltran del Rio, a sophomore communication studies major. “We were trying to hit every age, from the freshmen that are here at St. Mary’s to the judges,” added de la Garza, a sophomore finance major.

Emperor Sons worked hard to prepare for Battle of the Bands, especially since they have only recently formed.

We formed this band literally a month ago,” Beltran del Rio said.

The band practiced in their dorms four to five times a week, for two to three hours sessions.

Despite this being their first performance together as a band, they already have several f a n s .

Students came up to the band asking for photos and complimenting

the performance.

“I love my fans,” de la Garza joked in response to an enthusiastic student cheering for them. “I’m honestly super happy with our performance,” he added.

Although initially nervous, the band performed exactly how they planned.

“Everyone gets nervous in the beginning, but as soon as you do your first set on the drums, everything goes away,” de la Garza said.. “And it’s exactly what we did in the dorm, everything went all perfect.”

“Once you get on stage, you don’t want to get off,” K C, a freshman computer science major, added.

Prior to the big

Kane and the Jives took second.

All the bands and DJs impressed the students who attended the Hollywood-themed homecoming celebration.

Between sets, students had the opportunity to dance to hit songs and compete for cardboard cutouts of celebrities, such as Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Marilyn Monroe and Justin Timberlake. In spirit of the Hollywood aesthetic, students posed for caricatures or photos and snacked on popcorn, burger sliders and fizzy cranberry or grape juice served in champagne flutes. A student dressed as an Oscar statue posed for photos with students and joined in the dancing.

Overall, Battle of the Bands was a smash success for everyone involved.

The students attending had a blast singing and dancing along to the acts. The performers Graphics and Photos by Elizabeth Arredondo were all excellent.

Congratulations to the acts who placed, especially the firstannouncement, DJ G l e n n m e i s t e r place winners Emperor Sons. Students who was awarded third missed them this time, or want to hear more place, and Jason of them, can catch them on the main stage during Oyster Bake from April 12 to 13.

Map of 2019 Fiesta Events

Graphics by Cody Rivera & Elizabeth Arredondo

14 SPORTS

EDITOR:TAWNY DAVIS |@STMURATTLERNEWS | APRIL 10, 2019

Rattler Homecoming TAWNY DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

This year’s baseball homecoming game was an event that brought out students and alumni alike. Before the game, students, parents, and alumni enjoyed a tailgate at the Flex Field where Smoke Shack served barbecue for everyone to enjoy. There were games everybody was able to play, which included cornhole and football. Attendees

also enjoyed themselves and hung out with alumni as they waited for the baseball team’s match up that evening against Our Lady of the Lake University.

The game began shortly after the tailgate with our 22-12 St. Mary’s Rattlers going against the 20-19 Our Lady of the Lake’s Saints. The Rattlers scored 8 runs against the Saints, while the opposing team only scored 2 hits. Majority of the hits came from Johnny Hernandez, junior criminal justice

major, who scored 3 points, and Jake Mares, freshman computer engineer major, who also scored 3. In the end, St. Mary’s pulled away with the win that night with the final score being 8-2.

This game was especially important as it was coach Charlie Migl’s 1,200 career win this season. Coach Migl is the Division II leader in wins amongst baseball coaches in the division. He is now 34th in wins overall on the all-time list.

This homecoming game and the tailgate was special for not just the students at St. Mary’s, but the alumni as well. It was a fun and exciting way to officially kick off this year’s homecoming week with an exciting win not just for the players, but for coach Migl as well. Being able to see players and coaches from both the past and the present shows the unity among the students and how this game brings everyone together every year.

Photos by Victoria Valle and Karina Charo

SPORTS 15

APRIL 10, 2019 | STMURATTLERNEWS.COM

Code Blue dance team no longer part of athletic department CARMEN ESCUDERO CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Starting in the fall 2019 semester, St. Mary’s dance team, Code Blue, will no longer be affiliated with the athletic department.

Instead, they have begun transitioning this semester to becoming a registered student organization. The athletic department informed the current team members they no longer have the funds to support a coach for the team, and, therefore, they could no longer continue to support the team as part of athletics. This meant the team will no longer be receiving scholarships as they have in the past when they were part of the athletic department.

A few of the current members took action right away to make sure Code Blue comes back stronger than before. Sophia Rendon-Lopez, senior criminology major, decided to volunteer as the new coach next

year. Due to the lack of funding the dance team currently has, Rendon-Lopez will not be paid for her time she will be dedicating to the team beginning in August.

Co-captain Marla Yanez, junior English major, stated it was difficult branching out from the athletic department.

“

All of us that are in charge are dedicated and prepared to push this team and to not only grow as dancesrs but as teammates and friends.”

Marissa Meza freshman elementary education major

“Disbanding from the athletic department has definitely been a challenge,” Yanez explained. “We originally received scholarships under the department and

Code Blue poses after a performance for students at Rattler Madness | Photo courtesy of Marla Yanez

many of our members relied heavily on that scholarship. By becoming a club, we will lose those scholarships and a majority of us will have to find that money elsewhere in order to continue attending St. Mary’s.”

Despite disbanding from the athletic department, Yanez and fellow co-captain Marissa Meza, freshmen elementary education major, have high hopes for the future of the team despite having to start from scratch to rebuild Code Blue.

Meza and Yanez have been reaching out to high schools all over San Antonio to promote St. Mary’s Code Blue to future Rattlers and informing them about the tryouts they had April 4th and April 5th.

“Another challenge we’ve faced is having access to the athletic trainers,” Yanez explained. “As student athletes, we had access to the trainers and now that we no longer will be under the department, we’ll have to figure out liabilities and

insurance elsewhere.”

“I really believe that this team will only grow from here and we will be able to reach new levels together,” Meza stated. “All of us that are in charge are dedicated and prepared to push this team and to not only grow as dancers but as teammates and friends.”

Although not many members will be returning next year due to the team no longer having the funds for scholarships, Code Blue will still be filled with passionate dancers to continue to promote school spirit.

While they may be sad that they are no longer a part of the athletic department, Code Blue determines to continue despite it.

As a registered student organization, their funding is limited. However, now they will be able to participate in more than just athletic games. Code Blue has a bright future ahead of them despite the obstacles they had to face this past semester.

Code Blue smiles after basketball game where they danced at halftime | Photo courtesy of Marla Yanez

StMU women’s golf team ranked 16 nationally in Division II TAWNY DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

The Women’s Golf Coaches Association recently ranked the St. Mary’s women’s golf team 16th in the nation after the First Division poll of the spring season.

The Rattlers received a total of 193 point from votes after a strong finish at the St. Edwards Invitational. The team completed the tournament with a total of 623 strokes, finishing fourth out of 14 teams. This was

“

This sport has brought me so many amazing experiences and I will carry them with me for the rest of my life.”

Paige Weiss senior accounting major

the first competition of the 2019 season.

The Rattlers, along with Dallas Baptist University at first and Oklahoma Christian in 17th, are the only members of the Heartland Conference to be ranked in the top 25 nationally.

While team members are grateful for

being recognized for their efforts, they believe there is still room for improvement and tend to not worry about rankings. Senior accounting major, Paige Weiss, weighs in on their ranking so far.

“Although it is a great accomplishment to be nationally ranked, this is not where we want to be,” she said. “However, we don’t focus much on national rankings because they don’t affect our season in any way. As long as we are ranked in the top 12 regionally, we advance to the Super Regional tournament for a chance to advance to the national tournament.”

While it may seem that being ranked may be a goal for most teams, it was not a priority for the Rattlers.

“It’s never been a goal of ours on what ranking we want to be at. We just show up to every tournament with the best we have that day and the rankings will take care of themselves,” said junior finance and risk management major, Haleigh Jordan.

The next step for the women’s golf team is the NCAA tournament in April, where the women plan to return to this year.

“Our main goal this year is to make it to

the top three in the NCAA Regionals i n return

National tournament this year,” said Weiss Both players are also focused on their

S u p e r order to to the

Graphic by Victoria Valle

individual goals.

“My personal goal in every tournament is to play the best I can to glorify God,” said Jordan.

As a senior, Weiss expressed her desire to enjoy herself in her last tournaments as a collegiate athlete.

“This sport has brought me so many amazing experiences and I will carry them with me for the rest of my life,” she said.

The next stop for the team is the West Texas Invite in Tucson, Arizona.

From there, the team goes on to the Heartland Conference championships, the NCAA Regional Championships, and, finally, the National Championship, which will be held in Florida.

This is an opportunity for the women’s golf team to go far and place high post season. It is also a chance to bring home another accolade for the team and St. Mary’s athletics.

16 FEATURES

EDITOR: ISABELA VAZQUEZ | @STMURATTLERNEWS | APRIL 10, 2019

The

R attler

Legacy

100 YEARS of EXCELLENCE ISABELA VAZQUEZ MANAGING EDITOR The Rattler has a legacy of excellence when it comes to producing award winning work. From the beginning of its history, the publication has merited state and national attention. In the school year ’47 to ‘48, the Rattler was awarded an ‘All Catholic’ rating by the Catholic School Press Association for its incorporation of Catholic thought and promotion of Catholic activity. Moving along to the 1950s, the newspaper won the ‘All-American’ title and ‘First Class’ rating by the Associated Collegiate Press, or ACP, which was the highest recognition of merit

obtainable by a college newspaper in the United States at the time. From then on, the Rattler has been recognized for its distinguished body of work almost every year by national press organizations.

Skipping forward to more recent times, in 2004, the Rattler managed to win 30 awards in two months – a feat deserving of recognition for the Rattler. This was even more impressive as these wins followed a complete change in staff and a brief shut down of the publication. This proves the Rattler, no matter the circumstances, would accomplish their goals and continue winning, and continue placing weight to St. Mary’s as an institution that produced exemplary students. During this time period,

the Rattler went on to win more than 100 awards from a multitude of associations and competitions, such as the ACP, the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

This past year was no exception to the winning streak. While the student body took a breather from school, the Rattler staff headed to the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association competition in Corpus Christi. They were awarded “Best of Show” in division three, and an honorable mention for “Overall Excellence Paper.” This is only two of 16 awards the Rattler earned throughout the competition.